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GEORATOR CORPORATION


Rev. 4/18/02











Power Around
The World



















GEORATOR CORPORATION
9617Center Street
Manassas, Virginia 20110-5521
703-368-2101
Toll Free: 800-523-9938
FAX: 703-368-1078


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GEORATOR CORPORATION

Preface

This publication lists, for the information of U.S. manufacturers and exporters
and individuals living or traveling abroad, the characteristics of electric power
available in principal countries throughout the world.

The information in this publication was taken from a 1998 document entitled
Electric Current Abroad - 1998 Edition provided by the International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce and from various other agencies
around the world.

Georator Corporation has updated much of the information to agree with todays
world map. Since there are many changes occurring within the countries of the
world, some of the information may be incorrect. Georator Corporation will
welcome any current information that you may be able to provide to help us
improve this document but cannot assume responsibility for incorrect data.

If you need assistance with electric power frequency conversion, please call
Georator Corporation and ask for Sales Engineering. Our numbers are:

Tel: 703-368-2101
Toll Free: 800-523-9938
Fax: 703-368-1078

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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Introduction


The characteristics of electric power alternating or direct current, number of
phases, frequency and voltage found in major foreign countries are listed in this
report. In addition, the stability of the frequency and the number of wires to a
commercial or residential installation are given where available.

The current characteristics and other data furnished relate to domestic and
commercial service only. It does not include special commercial installations
involving relatively high voltage requirements nor does it refer to any industrial
installations.

Persons who are planning to use or export appliances abroad should acquaint
themselves with the characteristics of the electric supply available in the area in
which the appliance is to be used. It may be less expensive to buy a new
appliance than to purchase the auxiliary equipment needed to make presently
owned appliances useable. A transformer may be obtained locally to correct the
voltage if required. Auxiliary equipment to change frequency is too bulky and
expensive for the average residential installation, however, Georator Corporation
manufactures equipment for converting the frequency of commercial power to
that used in the United States.

Some foreign hotels have a special circuit, providing approximately 120volts, for
the convenience of guests using electric shavers and other low-wattage
appliances made in the U.S. Such circuits are usually labeled at the
convenience outlet indicating the voltage.

Among the nominal voltages indicated in this publication, the lower voltages
shown are used primarily for lighting and smaller appliances, while the higher
voltages are used primarily for hvac and larger equipment.

Readers are reminded that the list of characteristics presented here was
compiled over a period of months from a large number of sources. There is
consequently, some possibility of errors and omissions for which the Georator
Corporation cannot assume responsibility.

Readers are further reminded that the information presented here should not be
taken as final in the case of industrial or highly specialized commercial
installations. Georator Corporation regrets that it is impossible for it to maintain
complete data on every foreign industrial installation. It is recommended that for
special equipment required for commercial use, the characteristics of the electric
power in the area of installation be obtained from the end user.


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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Key to Terms
Used in This Publication

Type of Current a.c. indicates alternating current and d.c., direct current.

Frequency Shown in hertz (cycles per second). Even if voltages are similar, a
60-hertz U.S. motor will not function properly on 50-hertz current.

Number of phases 1 and 3 are the conventional phases, which may be
available.

Nominal voltage In voltages specified for direct current (d.c.) the lower voltage
is always of the higher voltage. In a direct current installation, the lower
voltage requires two wires while the higher voltage requires three wires.

Alternating current nominal voltage Alternating current is normally distributed
either through 3-phase wye (star) or delta (triangle), 4-wire, secondary
distribution systems. In the wye distribution system, the nominal voltage
examples are 120/208, 127/220, 220/380, and 230/400. The higher voltage is
1.732 (the square root of 3) times the lower voltage. In a delta system, the
110/220 and 230/460 are examples of nominal voltages. The higher voltage is
always double the lower voltage.

The higher voltage may be single or 3-phase while the lower voltage is always
single phase and used primarily for lighting and small appliances.

Number of wires The number of wires, which may be used by the consumer,
is shown. Normally, a single phase, 220/380 volt system or 127/220 system will
have two wires if only the lower voltage is available (one phase wire and the
neutral). It will have three wires if both the higher and lower voltages are
available (two-phase wires and the neutral) and, where three phase motors will
be used, four wires will be available for the higher voltage (the three phase wires
and the neutral wire).

Frequency stability A Yes in the column indicates that the frequency stability
is stable and service interruptions are rare.

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GEORATOR CORPORATION

Power Around The World



Frequency
Country - Except Type and Number Nominal Number stability
for Cities as noted frequency of phases voltage of wires OK for
below country heading of current elect. clocks

Afghanistan a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Albania a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

Algeria a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
220/380

American Somoa a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4, Yes
240/480

Andorra a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,3,4, Yes
220/380

Angola
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Antarctica see individual nations camps

Antigua & Barbuda
1
a.c. 60 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes

Argentina a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
The following cities also have d.c. 220/440 2,3
Buenos Aires
Chivilcoy
Corrientes
Jujuy
Junin
Mar del Plata
Mendoza
Necochea
Parana
Posadas
Resistencia
Rio Cuarto
Rosario
Salta
San Juan
Santa Fe
Tres Arroyos

Armenia a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No
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GEORATOR CORPORATION

Aruba a.c. 60 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes
Lago colony a.c. 60 1 115/230 2,3 Yes

Ashmore & Cartier No Indigenous Inhabitants
Islands
Australia
1,7
a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,3,4 Yes
Albany a.c. 50 1,3 250/440 2,3,4 Yes
Kalgoorlie a.c. 50 1,3 250/440 2,3,4 Yes
Perth a.c. 50 1,3 250/440 2,3,4 Yes

Austria
1,7
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 3,5 Yes

Azerbaijan a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

Azores a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Ponta Delgada
23
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
a.c. 50 1,3 110/190 2,3,4 Yes

Bahamas a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 Yes
120/208

Bahrain
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes
Awali a.c. 60 1 110/115 3 Yes
1,3 220/240

Baker Island No Indigenous Inhabitants

Balearic Islands
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes
220/380

Bangladesh a.c. 50 1,3 220/440 3,4 No

Barbados
1
a.c. 50 1,3 115/230 2,3,4 Yes
115/200

Barbuda see Antiqua

Bassas de India a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Belarus a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Belgium
1,6
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Charleroi a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3 Yes
Mons a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3 Yes
Turnhout a.c. 50 1,3 220 2,3 Yes

Belize
1
a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3,4 Yes
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
220/440
Orange Walk a.c. 60 1 110/220 2,3 No
San Ignacio a.c. 60 1 110/220 2,3 No
Stann Creek a.c. 60 1 110/220 2,3 No
San Pedro a.c. 60 1 110/220 2,3 No

Benin a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Bermuda
1,5
a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 Yes
120/208

Bhutan a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Bolivia a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Cobija a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 No
Guayaramerin a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 No
La Paz a.c. 50 1,3 115/230 2,3 Yes
Oruro a.c. 50 1,3 115/230 2,3 Yes
Riberalta a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 No
Trinidad a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 No
Viacha a.c. 50 1,3 115/230 2,3 Yes

Bosnia & Herzegovina a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

Botswana
13
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Bouvet Island No Indigenous Inhabitants

Brazil
1
a.c. 60 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes
Anapolis a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Bage a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Blumenau a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Brazilia, D.F. a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Caruaru a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Caxias do Sul a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Cel Fabriciano a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3 Yes
Florianopolis a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Fortaleza a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Goiania a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Goias a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Itajai a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3 Yes
Jequie a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Joao Pessoa a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Joinville a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Juiz de For a a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 Yes
Jundiai a.c. 60 1,3 220 2,3 Yes
Livramento a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Maceio a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Manaus a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3 Yes
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Mossoro a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Natal a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Novo Friburgo a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3 Yes
Olinda a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Parnaiba a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3 Yes
Pelotas a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Recife a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Santo Andre a.c. 60 1,3 127/220 2,3 Yes
220/380 Yes
Sao Bernardo a.c. 60 1,3 220/380 2,3 Yes
do Campo
Sao Caetano a.c. 60 1,3 115/230 2,3 Yes
do Sul
Sao Luiz a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3 Yes
Sao Paulo a.c. 60 1,3 115/230 2,3 Yes
Teresina a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3 Yes
Volta Redonda 125/216 2,3,4 Yes

Brunei
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes

Bulgaria
17
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

Burkino Faso a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

Burma
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 No

Burundi a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

Cambodia a.c. 50 1,3 120/208 2,4 No
Phnom-Penh a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 No
Sihanoukville a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Cameroon a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 No
220/380
Buea a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 N.A.
Douala a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Dschang a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No
Ebolowa a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No
Edea a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Foumban a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No
Garoua a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 No
Kribi a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No
Limbe a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 N.A.

Canada
1,21
a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 3,4 Yes

Canary Islands
1
a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes
220/380
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GEORATOR CORPORATION

Cape Verde, Rep. Of
5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 No

Cayman Islands
1
a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3 Yes

Central African Rep.
5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Chad a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

Channel Islands a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes
Guernsey a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Chile a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

China, People's Rep. a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 No

Christmas Island a.c. 50 240

Clipperton Island No Indigenous Inhabitants

Cocos (Keeling) N.A. Population 633
Islands

Colombia a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3,4 No
Bogota
22
a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3,4 Yes
150/260
Duitama a.c. 60 1,3 120/208 2,3,4 No
Honda a.c. 60 1,3 120/208 2,3,4 No
Sogomosa a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 No

Comoros a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 N.A.

Congo, Dem. Rep.
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
(formerly Zaire)

Cook Islands a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,3,4 Yes

Coral Sea Islands No Indigenous Inhabitants

Costa Rica a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 Yes

Cote d'Ivoire a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 3,4 Yes
(formerly Ivory Coast)

Croatia a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

Cuba a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3 Yes

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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Cyprus
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes

Czech Republic a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Denmark a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Djibouti, Rep. Of a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Dominica
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
(Windward Islands)

Dominican Republic a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3 Yes

Ecuador
1
a.c. 60 1,3 120/208 2,3,4 Yes
127/220
Cuenca a.c. 60 1,3 120/208 2,3,4 Yes
Esmeraldas a.c. 60 1,3 120/208 2,3,4 Yes
120/240
127/220
Guaranda a.c. 60 1,3 120/208 2,3,4 Yes
120/240
127/220
Guayaquil a.c. 60 1,3 120/208 2,3,4 Yes
120/240
127/220
Ibarra a.c. 60 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes
Latacunga a.c. 60 1,3 120/208 2,3,4 Yes
Loja a.c. 60 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes
Machala a.c. 60 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes
Morona a.c. 60 1,3 127/208 2,3,4 Yes
Portoviejo a.c. 60 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes
Puyo a.c. 60 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes
Riobamba a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3,4 Yes
127/220
Tulcan a.c. 60 1,3 121/210 2,3,4 Yes
127/220
Zamora a.c. 60 1,3 121/210 2,3,4 Yes
127/220

Egypt a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 No

El Salvador
1
a.c. 60 1,3 115/230 2,3 Yes

England see United Kingdom

Equatorial Guinea
14
a.c. 50 1 220 2 No

Eritrea a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
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GEORATOR CORPORATION

Estonia a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Ethiopia a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Europa Island No Indigenous Inhabitants

Falkland Islands a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2/4 Yes

Faeroe Islands a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Fiji a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,3,4 Yes

Finland
24
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4,5 Yes

France
24
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Briancon a.c. 50 1,3 115/200 2,4 Yes
Caen a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
220/380
Grenoble a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
Lille a.c. 50 1,3 110/220 2,4 Yes
220/380
Luxeuil-Bains a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
220/380
Lyon a.c. 50 1,3 110/220 2,4 Yes
127/220
220/380
Mulhouse a.c. 50 1,3 230 2,4 Yes
220/380
Paris a.c. 50 1,3 115/230 2,4 Yes
220/380
Royan a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
220/380
Strasbourg a.c. 50 1,3 125/220 2,4 Yes
220/380
Tourcoing a.c. 50 1,3 110/220 2,4 Yes
220/380
French Guiana
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 No

French Polynesia see Tahiti

Gabon
3,8
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Gambia, The
5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

Gaza Strip a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Georgia a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
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GEORATOR CORPORATION

Germany,
1,5,24,25
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Fed. Rep. Of

Ghana a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 No

Gibralter a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes

Gloriosa Islands No Indigenous Inhabitants

Great Britain see United Kingdom

Greece a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Greenland a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Grenada
1,7
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 No
(Windward Islands)

Guadeloupe a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Guam
1
a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 3,4 Yes
120/208

Guatemala a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 Yes

Guernsey see Channel Islands

Guinea a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 No

Guinea-Bissau a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 No

Guyana
1,10,26
a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3,4 Yes
Georgetown a.c. 50 1,3 110/220 2,3,4 Yes

Haiti a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3,4 Yes
Jacmel a.c. 50 1,3 110/220 2,3,4 No

Heard & McDonald No Indigenous Inhabitants
Islands

Herzegovina see Bosnia

Holy See ( Vatican a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
City ) 12//220

Honduras a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3 No

Hong Kong a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
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GEORATOR CORPORATION

Howland Island No Indigenous Inhabitants

Hungary
4,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Iceland a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

India
4,16
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
Ajmer d.c. 230/460 2,3
Ambala d.c. 220/440 2,3
Ambala (City) a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
Bombay City a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
230/460
d.c. 300/600 2,3
Calcutta a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
d.c. 225/450 2,3
Cuttack a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
d.c. 230/460 2,3
Dehli, including a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
New Dehli 230/415
d.c 250/500 2,3
Gaya a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
d.c. 220/440 2,3
Indore a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
d.c. 230/460 2,3
Kanpur a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
d.c. 225/450 2,3
Lucknow a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
d.c. 220/440 2,3
Madras a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
250/440
d.c 225/450 2,3
Mussoorie a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Naini Tal a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
New Delhi (see Delhi)
Patna a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
230/400
d.c. 220/440 2,3
Rajkot a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
d.c. 230/460 2,3
Simla a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Indonesia
1,27
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Bandjarmasin a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 No
Medan a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
Padang a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 No
Palembang a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
Ujungpandang a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 No

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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Iran a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Iraq
5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Ireland
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Belfast a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
230/400
Londonderry a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
230/400

Isle of Man a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes

Israel
1,7
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Italy
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
The following cities also have 127/220
Ancona
Bologna
Como
Cremona
Genoa
Latina
Milan
Perugia
Pescara & Chieti
Pisa
Rome
Trieste
Udine
Venice
Verona

Ivory Coast see Cote d'lvoire

Jamaica
1
a.c. 50 1,3 110/220 2,3,4 Yes

Jan Mayen No Indigenous Inhabitants

Japan
1
a.c. 60 1,3 100/200 2,3 Yes
The following cities have 50Hz frequency
Chiba a.c. 50 1,3 100/200 2,3 Yes
Hakodate a.c. 50 1,3 100/200 2,3 Yes
Kawasaki a.c. 50 1,3 100/200 2,3 Yes
Muroran a.c. 50 1,3 100/200 2,3 Yes
Niigata a.c. 50 1,3 100/200 2,3 Yes
Otaru a.c. 50 1,3 100/200 2,3 Yes
Sapporo a.c. 50 1,3 100/200 2,3 Yes
Sendai a.c. 50 1,3 100/200 2,3 Yes
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Tokyo a.c. 50 1,3 100/200 2,3 Yes
Yokohama a.c. 50 1,3 100/200 2,3 Yes
Yokosuka a.c. 50 1,3 100/200 2,3 Yes

Jarvis Island Usually Uninhabited

Jersey a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes

Jerusalem
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Johnston Atoll U.S. Military Personnel Only

Jordan
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Kazakstan a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Kenya
5
a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes

Kingman Reef No Indigenous Inhabitants

Kiribati a.c. 50 240

Korea
1,9,28
a.c. 60 1 110 2 Yes
1 110/220 3 Yes
3 220/380 4 Yes

Kuwait a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes

Kyrgyzstan a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Laos a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

Lebanon
1
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No
The following cities also have 110/190
Aley
Beirut
Bhamdoun
Brummana
Tripoli
Tyre

Lesotho
1,5,18
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Liberia
1
a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 No
120/208

Libya
2
a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 No
Barce a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 No
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Benghazi a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 No
Derna a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 No
El Baida a.c. 50 1,3 230 2,4 No
Sebha a.c. 50 1,3 230 2,4 No
Tobruk a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 No

Liechtenstein a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Lithuania a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Luxembourg
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Macau a.c. 50 1,3 200/346 2,3 Yes

Macedonia a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Madagascar
1,23
a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes
220/380
Ambatolampy a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Ambatondrazaka a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Tulear a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Madeira
1,23
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
d.c. 220/440 2,3

Malawi a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 3,4 No

Malaysia
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes
Penang a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Maldives a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Mali, Rep. Of
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 3,4 No

Malta
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes

Marshall Islands N.A.
Bikini
Kwajalein
Enewatak
Martinique
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Mauritania
1,5,12
a.c. 50 1,3 220 2,3 No

Mauritius Island
5
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Mayotte N.A.

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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Mexico a.c. 60 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 No

Micronesia, Federated See Individual Islands
States of

Midway Islands No Indigenous Inhabitants

Moldava a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Monaco a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
220/380

Mongolia a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 No

Montserrat a.c. 60 1,3 230/400 2,4 N.A.
(Leeward Islands)

Morocco
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
Agadir a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
220/380
Beni-Mellal a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
220/380
El-Hoceima a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Khemisset a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Khenifra a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Oud-Zem a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
220/380
Sidi Kacem a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
220/380
Sidi Slimane a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
220/380
Souk-El-Arba Gharb a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
220/380

Mozambique
5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Namibia
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Keetmanshoop a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Nauru a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes

Navassa Island No Indigenous Inhabitants

Nepal
1
a.c. 50 1,3 220/440 2,4 No

Netherlands
1
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3 Yes

Netherlands Antilles
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Curacao
Emmastad a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
St. Martin
Philipsburg a.c. 60 1,3 120/220 2,3,4 Yes

New Caledonia a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

New Zealand
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes

Newly Independent
19
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 N.A. No
States of the former
Soviet Union

Nicaragua a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 Yes
Bonanza a.c. 60 1,3 120 2,3 Yes
Jalapa a.c. 60 1,3 120 2,3 No
Matiguas a.c. 60 1,3 120 2,3 No
Quilali a.c. 60 1,3 120 2,3 No
Siuna a.c. 60 1,3 120 2,3 Yes
Telpaneca a.c. 60 1,3 120 2,3 No

Niger
15
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

Nigeria
1
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Niue a.c. 50 240

Norfolk Island N.A.

Northern Mariana Isles N.A.

Norway a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Okinawa Island
1

Military Facilities a.c. 60 1 120/240 2,3 Yes
Non-Military Areas a.c. 60 1 100/200 2,3 Yes

Oman
5,19
a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 No

Pakistan
1,19
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 3 No

Palau a.c. 60 1,3 115/230 2,3 Yes

Palestine a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Palmyra Atoll No Indigenous Inhabitants

Panama a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3 Yes
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Colon a.c. 60 1,3 115/230 2,3,4 Yes
Panama a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 Yes
Puerto Armuelles a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 Yes

Papua New Guinea a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes

Paracel Islands No Indigenous Inhabitants

Paraguay a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Peru a.c. 60 1,3 220 2,3 Yes
Arequipa a.c. 50 1,3 110/220 2,3 Yes
Talara a.c. 60 1,3 220 2,3 Yes

Philippines
1,11,29
a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3 Yes
Manila a.c. 60 1,3 115/230 2,3,4 Yes
110/220

Pitcairn Islands N.A. Population 50

Poland a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No
Katawice a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 No

Portugal
1
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Puerto Rico a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 Yes

Qatar a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,3,4 Yes

Reunion a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Romania a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

Russia see Newly Independent States

Rwanda a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

St. Helena a.c. 50 240

St. Kitts and Nevis a.c. 60 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
(Leeward Islands)

St. Pierre & Miquelon N.A

St. Lucia
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 240/416 2,4 Yes
(Windward Islands)

St. Vincent and the a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
Grenadines
1,5

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GEORATOR CORPORATION
(Windward Islands)

Samoa a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes

San Marino a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Sao Tome & Principe a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4

Saudi Arabia
30
a.c. 60 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes

Scotland see United Kingdom

Senegal
1,30
a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 No

Serbia - Montenegro a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 3,4,5 Yes
(was Yugoslavia)

Seychelles a.c. 50 1,3 240 2,3 Yes

Sierra Leone a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 No

Singapore
5
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Slovak Republic a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Slovenia a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Soloman Islands
Honiara a.c. 50 230

Somalia a.c. 50 1,3 220 2,3 No
Berbera a.c. 50 1,3 230 2,3 Yes
Brava a.c. 50 1,3 220/440 2,4 Yes
Merca a.c. 50 1,3 110/220 2,4 No
Mogadishu a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No

South Africa
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Beaufort West a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
Benoni a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
Boksburg a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
Cradock a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 N.A.
Germiston a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes
Grahamstad a.c. 50 1,3 250/430 2,4 Yes
Johannesburg a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
d.c. 230/460 2,3
King Williams a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
250/433
Klerksdorp a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes
Kroonstad a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Paarl a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
Port Elizabeth a.c. 50 1,3 250/433 2,4 Yes
Pretoria a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,3,4 Yes
Roodeport a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
Somerset West a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
Springs a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
230/400
Umtata a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes
Upington a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
Virginia a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
Vryheid a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes
Walvis Bay a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes
Wellington a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes
Worcester a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

South Georgia and Small Military Installation at Grytviken
South Sandwich Isles No Indigenous Inhabitants


Spain
10,31
a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes
220/380

Spratly Islands No Indigenous Inhabitants

Sri Lanka
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Sudan
1
a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes
Wau a.c. 50 1 240 2 Yes

Suriname a.c. 60 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 Yes

Swaziland a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,4 Yes

Sweden
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4,5 Yes

Switzerland
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Syria a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3 No

Tahiti a.c. 60 1,3 127/220 2,3,4 No

Taiwan
1
a.c. 60 1,3 110/220 2,3,4 Yes

Tajikistan a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3 No

Tanzania
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes

Thailand a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
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GEORATOR CORPORATION

Togo a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Lome a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
127/220

Tokelau N.A. Population 1,400

Tonga a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,3,4 N.A.

Trinidad and Tobago a.c. 60 1,3 115/230 2,3,4 Yes
230/400

Tromelin Island No Indigenous Inhabitants

Tunisia
1,31
a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
220/380
Bardo a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Beja a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Carthage a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Djemmal a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Gabes a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Gafsa a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Hammam-Lif a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
Kalaa-Kebira a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Ksar Hellal a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Ksour Essaf a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
La Goulette a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
La Manouba a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 Yes
Le Kef a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Mahdia a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Maxula-Rades a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Menzel Temime a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Moknine a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Monastir a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
M'saken a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Nabeul a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Nefta a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Ras Djebel a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Tozeur a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Zarsis a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Turkey
1
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes

Turkmenistan a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3 Yes

Turks & Caicos Isles
Grand Turk, Cockburn a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 3,4 Yes

Tuvalu
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Funafuti a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,3,4 Yes

Uganda
1,19,23
a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes

Ukraine a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

United Arab Emirates a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes
Abu Dhabi a.c. 50 1,3 220/415 2,3,4 Yes
Ajman a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes
Sharjah a.c. 50 1,3 230/415 2,3,4 Yes

United Kingdom:
1,7

England a.c. 50 1,3 240/480 2,3 Yes
3 240/415 4 Yes
Scotland a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes
Wales a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,4 Yes
Northern Ireland a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
230/400

Uruguay
5
a.c. 50 1,3 220 2,3 Yes

Uzbekistan a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Vanuatu - Port-vila a.c. 50 1,3 240/415 2,3,4 -
(formerly New Hebrides)

Vatican City see Holy See

Venezuela a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 Yes

Viet Nam
1,32
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 No
Can Tho a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 No
220/380
Dalat a.c. 50 1,3 120/208 2,4 No
220/380
Da Nang a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 No
Hanoi a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 No
220/380
Hue a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 No
Nha Trang a.c. 50 1,3 127/220 2,4 No
Saigon-Cholon a.c. 50 1,3 120/208 2,4 No
220/380

Virgin Islands a.c. 60 1,3 120/240 2,3,4 Yes
(British and American)

Wake Island No Indigenous Inhabitants

Wales see United Kingdom
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GEORATOR CORPORATION

Wallis and Futuna N.A. Population 15,000

West Bank see Gaza

Western Sahara a.c. 50 1,3 220 2,3 No

Western Samoa a.c. 50 1,3 230/400 2,3,4 Yes

Yemen, Rep. Of a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes
Hodeida a.c. 50 1,3 220/400 2,4 No
Sanaa a.c. 50 1,3 220/400 2,4 No
Taiz a.c. 50 1,3 220/400 2,4 No

Yugoslavia see Serbia - Montenegro

Zaire, Republic Of see Congo, The Democratic Republic of

Zambia
1,5
a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,4 Yes

Zimbabwe a.c. 50 1,3 220/380 2,3,4 Yes



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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Country Specific Notes:

1. The neutral wire of the secondary distribution system is grounded.
2. The neutral wire of the secondary distribution system is grounded except in the case
of Sebha.
3. The neutral wire of the secondary distribution system is grounded at the generator.
4. Separate ground and neutral wires.
5. A grounding conductor is required in the electrical cord attached to appliances.
6. A grounding conductor is required in the electrical cord attached to appliances
except for class 2 appliances.
7. A grounding conductor is required in the electrical cord attached to appliances that
are not double insulated.
8. A grounding conductor is required in the electrical cord attached to appliances using
10 amps and above. It is suggested but not required for appliances using less than
10 amps.
9. A grounding conductor is required in the electrical cord attached to appliances
designed for 150 volts or more.
10. A grounding conductor is required for any 220/380 volt appliance.
11. A grounding conductor is required in the electrical cord attached to air conditioning
appliances and electrical ranges above 8kw rating.
12. Voltage tolerance +/- 20 to 30%.
13. Voltage tolerance +/- 100%.
14. Voltage generally varies between 150 and 175. Frequent power outages.
15. Frequency and voltage tolerances +/-15%.
16. Frequency and voltage tolerances +/-25%.
17. Electric clocks lose about 6 minutes during 24 hours.
18. Voltage fluctuations are common.
19. Voltage variations sufficient to damage electrical appliances are common.
20. Voltage is being systematically changed from 127/220 to 220/380.
21. Three phase, 4-wire systems such as 120/208 are available. Also, 347/600 is
available for commercial establishments.
22. Seventy-five percent of the city uses 110/220. Mostly older sector uses 150/260.
23. The nominal voltage is being standardized and converted to 220/380.
24. Nominal voltage being changed to 230/400.
25. Most residences are served by 4 wires (the 3-phase wires and neutral).
26. Guyana plans to standardize domestic power at 115/230, 60Hz, 2 & 3 wire single
phase and its industrial power at 480 volts, 3-phase, 3-wire.
27. Conversion to 220/380 completed in Jakarta and other principal cities in Java. Other
parts of the country are in process.
28. All household appliances must be designed to operate at 220 volts without addition
of transformers or any other modification.
29. Commercial establishments use 230/460 volts.
30. 380 volts is available in industrial areas.
31. Nominal voltage of 220 is used in commercial establishments and is becoming
common in private residences.
32. The electric utility system of Vietnam is to be standardized at 220/380, 3-phase, 4-
wire wye. It may be several years before all of the system will be changed.
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Addendum #1

A Guide to
Power Frequency Converters
GEORATOR CORPORATION
By Daniel L. Heflin

(800)-523-9938

Introduction

This is intended as a basic guide for an end user who needs to specify an
appropriate power frequency converter for an application. Georator Corporation
is in a unique position to provide an unbiased guide to Power Frequency
Converters because we provide both solid state and rotary converters. In most
situations either type may provide the desired power but there are usually clear
reasons why one type is superior to the other for a given application.

A Power Frequency Converter is a machine that takes electrical input power at
one frequency and voltage and provides electrical output power at a different
frequency and usually at a different voltage. An example of this is to take United
States 120/208 VAC 3 Phase 60 Hertz power as an input and provide 220/380
VAC 3 Phase 50 Hertz as an output, which is nominal power in many European
countries.

As a refresher to those who are unfamiliar with terms such as frequency and
voltage, AC
1
(Alternating Current) power is provided as a voltage sine wave of a
specified frequency. Frequency is the number of cycles (called Hertz or Hz) of
the voltage sine wave that occur each second. AC Voltage is defined as the
RMS
2
electrical potential between a point and some given reference. For
example, a L-N (Line to Neutral) voltage uses Neutral as the reference whereas
a L-L (line to Line) voltage references one line against another.

Although some devices can be and are designed to operate on both 60 and 50
Hertz input power, many are not. A synchronous motor, for example, will run at a
different speed, which can cause problems in many systems. Other systems may
overheat, provide reduced capability, and/or have increased failure rate if
operated with a power frequency different than that for which they were
designed. Additionally, many regulatory agencies require testing of products at
the power frequency of the country where the products will be used.

1
AC or Alternating Current is used to describe power that has a continuously changing, usually symmetric
voltage, such that each half cycle the current reverses direction.
2
In sinusoidal systems, the RMS (mathematical Root Mean Square) voltage is 0.707 times the value of the
sine wave peak.
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GEORATOR CORPORATION

Types of Power Frequency Converters

A common misconception is that a power frequency converter is similar to and
therefore should cost about the same as a transformer used to change line
voltage. This misconception about cost is further fed by the abundance of low
cost DC
3
to AC inverters
4
used in automotive and RV applications.

A transformer changes the amplitude of the voltage waveform but has no effect
on the frequency. It is, by closest comparison, only a single-stage converter of
voltage but not frequency. An inverter is also a single stage converter,
converting DC into a rough equivalent of AC. All true power frequency
converters provide two stages of conversion. The incoming AC electrical power
is first converted to a steady, non-alternating form of energy, and then in the
second stage, the non-alternating energy is re-converted into output AC power
of the new frequency. Some amount of storage capability is usually provided for
the non-alternating intermediate energy stage. Implementations of this
conversion scheme can be categorized into two general groups:

Rotary (motor-generators)
Solid State (electronic)

The major technical difference between the two is the method used to convert
input power at one frequency into outgoing power at a different frequency.
Rotary units use input power to run a motor, which produces mechanical energy
to spin a generator, which in turn produces the required output power. Solid
state units convert incoming AC power into DC, and then convert the DC into the
required output power. Either method of conversion supplies an output that is
acceptable for most applications but there are differences in the capabilities and
features that make one type of converter more suitable for a particular
application.


3
DC or Direct Current is used to describe power that has a fixed, non-varying voltage such that the current
flow does not reverse direction.
4
Inverters, in this context, refers to devices commonly used to change DC power to AC power by
switching the DCs polarity each half cycle to reverse the current flow. Such devices generally have poor
output waveform quality that may even damage some types of equipment.
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Comparative Study
The table below outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. By
analyzing the specific needs relative to the application, the user can make an
educated choice regarding the converter type that is best for their specific
application.

Comparative Features

Rotary

Solid State

Less costly per kW (or KVA)

More costly per kW (or KVA)
Costs do not increase linearly with power;
e.g., 3x power costs 1.5x dollars

Costs are more linear, e.g., 3x power
costs 3x dollars (because hardware
expansion is linear).
More attuned to larger applications 10
KVA plus

More attuned to smaller applications 1-5
KVA
Rugged floor mount construction

Generally in equipment racks or rack
mountable

Generally fixed output frequency


Highly variable output frequency, typically
45-500 Hertz
MTBF
5
: 20,000 to 32,000 Hrs. (belted)
30,000 to 60,000 Hrs. (single shaft)

MTBF: 10,000 to 20,000 Hrs.
Preventive maintenance is required, e.g.,
bearing maintenance, belt replacement
(except single shaft units), cleaning air
intakes and exhausts

Little or no preventive maintenance other
than cleaning fans, exhausts

Some installation and setup is required,
e.g., concrete pad, power circuits

Some installation and setup may be
required, but usually less than rotary
alternative

Some environmental objections, e.g.,
audible noise, unit weight, space factor,
etc.

Fewer environmental objections, e.g.,
generally quieter, lighter weight, etc.

5
MTBF Mean Time Between Failure is the mathematical mean (average) of the individual operating times
before the first failure for each unit of a population
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Input to the converters motor has lagging
power factor that increases with load.


Harmonic distortion and noise on the
input power is not passed to the output



Output harmonic distortion is moderately
low, typically <4 to 5%

Low output source impedance

Can source heavy overload currents 2-4
X for short periods of time, depends upon
generator windings and momentum of
rotating components. Overloads
generally cause voltage reduction but not
large waveform distortion

Input current has high crest factor that
also causes leading power factor that
increases with load.

Harmonic distortion and noise on the
input power is not normally passed to the
output, some high frequency noise may
be passed to output.

Output harmonic distortion is lower,
<0.05%,


Very low output source impedance

Can source overloads for generally
shorter periods of time, depends upon
capacitive storage in unit. Overloads may
cause a sharp rise in distortion.

Full load efficiency 60 to 65% on smallest
units (<6.25 KVA) up to 85 to 92% on
large units


Efficiency varies with load, better with
heavy loads
Full load efficiency 60 to 92 % all sizes




Efficiency varies with load, better with
heavy resistive loads and lower output
frequencies


Rotary Power Frequency Converters
Rotary power frequency converters can be further categorized as Belted,
Coupled Inline and Single Shaft, each of which have features and characteristics
that make them suited well to specific applications. The next few sections
describe each of the types and the characteristics of them.

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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Belt Drive Rotary Power Frequency Converters
Belt drive units consist of a motor, generator, base, belts, pulleys and controls.
The motor power is transferred to the generator via the belts and pulleys. The
ratio of the sizes of the pulleys determines the speed ratio between the motor
and the generator. The use of high-efficiency induction motors
6
and precision
manufacturing can yield a low-cost, highly accurate (+-1%) output frequency.
This high degree of accuracy is provided by properly sizing the motor such that
the slip stays within tolerable limits, and by the use of precision turned V-belt
pulleys to accurately set the pulley ratio. Synchronous motors
7
combined with
timing belts and pulleys provide even higher frequency accuracy but are much
more costly.

A variation on the induction motor frequency converter uses variable pitch pulleys
to allow a variable output frequency. Although this method does allow frequency
variation, the range of variation cannot approach that of solid state converters.
Another method of providing a variable frequency output is using a V-S Drive
8
to
control the motor speed. This method is much more costly but does allow wider
variability and is more precise.

Control systems for belt drive converters vary widely depending upon type and
application. The minimum is usually just a motor starter and an output voltage
regulator. More complex systems may include metering for input and output
current and output voltage and frequency; output overload protection; output
control; thermal protection; over and under voltage protection, and many other
forms of protection designed to prevent damage to the converter and or the
users load.


6
Induction Motors inherently have slip that causes reduction in rotational speed as load increases. Typical
1800 RPM induction motors run at 1750 to 1785 RPM at full load.
7
Synchronous motors operate at fixed rotational speeds therefore can provide very accurate converter
output frequency but require more complex control system for starting, protection and converter output
control than the lower cost induction motor.
8
V-S Drive or Variable Speed Drive is an electronic system used to change the speed of a motor.
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Coupled Inline Rotary Power Frequency Converters
Coupled inline rotary power frequency converters are much like the belted units
described above except that power is transferred from motor to generator via an
inline coupling attached to the motor and generator shafts. This coupling
generally requires less maintenance than belts. The inherent difficulty with this
type of unit is that no pulley ratio exists and therefore the motor and generator
will rotate at the same speed. This limits the ability to convert frequency
9

because motors and generators are only available with practical numbers of
poles
10
. There is however, a common application of this type of machine for line
isolation instead of frequency conversion.

Coupled inline units used as line isolators prevent noise or other disturbances on
the input from reaching the output. Similarly, noise or disturbances on the output
will not reach the input. Many times units such as these are used to separate
delicate electronics or precise test systems from motor drives or other devices
that may cause significant power disturbances.

Single Shaft Rotary Power Frequency Converters
Single shaft rotary power frequency converters have both the motor and
generator rotors
11
on the same shaft. These units are manufactured as a single
assembly for the sole purpose of power frequency conversion as compared to
the generic motors and generators employed for belted units. Instead of a pulley
ratio being used to achieve a speed differential, the single shaft unit applies a
ratio to the number of poles in the motor and generator halves of the unit.

Single shaft units are generally more efficient and smaller than other rotary
converters. The increased efficiency is achieved since there are fewer moving
parts and no losses associated with belts. These units are also generally more
reliable for the same reasons. As may be expected these units are more costly
than similarly rated belted units.


9
In rotating machines, the rotation speed is inherently related to the electrical frequency. Motor-
generators that convert frequency with a single, common shaft speed must therefore have magnetic pole
count ratios according to the frequency shift required. For instance, a motor of 12 poles must be matched
to a generator of 10 poles to achieve 60 to 50 Hz conversion.
10
Poles of a motor or generator are magnetic poles similar to the north and south poles of a bar magnet.
There can only be an even, whole number of magnetic poles in a conventional rotary machine.
11
A rotor is the rotating electromagnetic portion of a motor or generator, and is mounted on the rotating
shaft running through the center of the unit.
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Solid State Power Frequency Converters
Solid State Power Frequency Converters have very few moving parts (usually
only cooling fans) therefore they have lower requirements for preventive
maintenance. The increased complexity of these units does reduce MTBF. Solid
state units have an input stage that converts the input AC power to DC, then
stores that DC power in large capacitors. The amount of capacitor storage is one
factor that determines the ability of the unit to provide large current surges that
may be required by the load.

The output stages of the units generally use high power transistors such as
MOSFET
12
or IGBT
13
modules. Although there are a few systems that use linear
output stages
14
most use PWM
15
methods to produce the output power. In either
case the output power usually has very low distortion although linear output
stages may be slightly better in this respect. PWM output stages are much more
efficient and therefore are almost always used for higher output solid-state units.

The Final Analysis

Solid State units are available in sizes from 1KVA or less to over 200 KVA. That
range provides a large overlap between the solid state and rotary units that are
also built from 1KVA to well above 200 KVA. This means that for most
applications, there are sizes in both categories that will work. The user must
then decide based upon the requirements of the specific application which type
of system is more appropriate.

Georator Corporation has over 45 years experience in engineering electric power
frequency converters for specific customer requirements. Call Georator for
assistance with your application.

12
MOSFET or Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor is a common electronic device used
primarily for its ability to control large currents with very low control currents. This device can be used in
linear or switching modes.
13
IGBT or Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor is special power device with a gate similar to an FET
(described above) but with an output stage that is similar to a conventional Bipolar Junction Transistor or
BJT. The BJT is the original type of transistor and has a relatively linear gain.
14
Linear output stages are electronic amplifiers similar to those used in audio amplifiers.
15
PWM or Pulse Width Modulation is a technique used to create an output by varying the width of fixed
amplitude pulses then filtering to achieve the final output signal.
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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Addendum #2

U.K. Electrical Equipment Safety Regulations 1994
CE Marking Requirements


The CE Mark may be placed on electrical products by the manufacturer if it can
be shown that the product complies with the safety requirements of the Low-
Voltage Directive.

The requirements of the Low-Voltage Directive and applicable CE marking
amendments have been placed into U.K. legislation by the Electrical Equipment
(Safety) regulations of 1994 that replace the 1989 regulations. The U.K.
Department of Trade and Industry has published a guidance document on the
U.K. regulations. The following information summarizes items from that
document.

The amended Low-Voltage Directive defines that:
1. Only electrical equipment that does not jeopardize the safety of people,
domestic animals or property shall be placed on the market.
2. Only electrical equipment that satisfies the CE marking requirements will be
taken as complying with the requirements of the modified Low-Voltage Directive
and thereby be entitled to free circulation throughout the EEA, unless there are
reasonable grounds for suspecting that the product does not in fact meet the
requirements.
3. Electrical equipment is not required to be tested, or marked for approval by
an independent third party.
4. Enforcement is the responsibility of each member state within its national
jurisdiction.
5. Electrical equipment that complies with the 1994 regulations will be taken to
comply with the modified directive and will be entitled to free circulation
throughout the EEA.

An EEA-based manufacturer constitutes the first link in the supply chain
permitted to affix the CE mark, originate and hold an EC Declaration of
Conformity or compile and maintain the technical documentation.

Manufacturers not established within the EEA may still affix the CE mark, draw
up the EC Declaration of Conformity and compile the technical documentation. If
such a manufacturer has appointed an authorized representative within the EEA,
that representative should retain copies of the EC Declaration of Conformity and
the technical documentation. If no such representative has been appointed, the
first supplier of the electrical equipment within the EEA should retain this
information.

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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Because the 1994 regulations permit an authorized representative to undertake
more tasks than may be undertaken by an importer, the manufacturer and his
representative should make sure that the appointment is clearly documented and
can be substantiated if required.

Subject to the conditions of appointment, the authorized representative may:
affix the CE mark
originate and retain the EC Declaration of Conformity
retain the technical documentation within the EEA territory if the manufacturer
is not located within the European Union.

The importer is any person who first places electrical equipment from a third
country on the EEA market. Unless he or she is also the manufacturers
authorized representative, the importer cannot:
affix the CE mark
originate and retain the EC Declaration of Conformity
compile the technical documentation.

The importer is, however, required to retain copies of the EC Declaration of
Conformity and the technical documentation. All other suppliers wholesalers,
retailers, etc. have a statutory duty to ensure that the equipment that they
supply satisfies the safety requirements and bears a CE mark.

Electrical equipment that has been constructed in such a way as to meet the
safety provisions of one or another level in an accepted hierarchy of standards
and requirements will be taken to satisfy the 1994 regulations unless there are
reasonable grounds for suspecting that it does not so comply. In descending
order of authority, the hierarchy is as follows:
1. harmonized standards as published in the Official Journal of the European
Communities,
2. international standards as published in the Official Journal of the European
Communities and
3. national standards where no harmonized or international standards exist,
provided that such national standards do in fact satisfy the safety requirements of
the regulations.

Electrical equipment that has not been manufactured to comply with one of the
above categories of standards must nevertheless comply with the essential
safety requirements. In such cases, it may be prudent for the supplier to have
the equipment assessed for safety by an independent third party, optimally a
Notified Body.

The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that its manufacturing process
conforms to that described in the technical documentation relating to the
electrical equipment being produced.

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GEORATOR CORPORATION
Technical documentation must be such as to enable enforcement authorities to
assess the conformity of the electrical equipment with the requirements of the
1994 regulations. It must, as far as is relevant for such assessment, cover the
design, manufacture and operation of electrical equipment and must include the
following:
1. A general description of the equipment. This requirement may normally be
met by the description provided in the users manual.
2. Design and manufacturing drawings and schemes of components,
subassemblies, etc. This provision may be met by a general assembly drawing,
photographs, and circuit diagrams of required elements, provided that all of these
relate to a particular model and year of manufacture.
3. Any descriptions or explanations necessary to understand the drawings
supplied. The users manual may include information to fulfill this requirement.
4. A list of standards applied in full, or in part, along with descriptions of any
solutions adopted to satisfy the safety requirements where specific standards
have not been applied.
5. Results of all design calculations made, examinations carried out, etc. Test
reports may meet this requirement if it can be demonstrated that the design
calculations have been made correctly.
6. Test reports. This item could include reports originated by the manufacturer,
by a Notified Body, or by any other entity that the manufacturer considers
competent.
7. A copy of the EC Declaration of Conformity.

It should be noted that the CE mark is essentially a statement representing that
the product meets the requirements of all applicable directives. Where
exceptions exist, the technical documentation must call out those directives and
regulations with which compliance is being claimed.

The information in this addendum summarizes the main points of the Low-
Voltage Directive and is for your guidance only. When implementing this process
especially for the first time a copy of the Low-Voltage Directive must be
studied and advice of independent consultants should be obtained.